Love Is So Much Better The Second Time Around

It's been a while since I've gone to a wish grant. It's also been a while since I've felt my heart melt- and it didn't have to be the cheesy type of kilig melting vibes, it just took one Saturday afternoon to rekindle with my first love: Make-A-Wish Foundation of The Philippines.

Our Wish Kids for the day. Thank you Make-A-Wish UAE for sponsoring their wishes I've been volunteering for the foundation since I was 19, I was still in college then. I never knew what hit me, until my very first hospital visit in PCMC (Philippine Children's Medical Center). That would be every Friday after my last class for the day, which would end at 10am, I remember rushing out of school to go to PCMC. The first time I entered the hospital, brought back good memories. I used to go there for my check-up that I would have with my Grand Aunt who was our family Pediatrician. The only thing that was different was that, the place looked run down and needed a little TLC with maybe a new paint job. Although it was clean and it had that distinct hospital smell. The first visit I made for Make-A-Wish Philippines (MAW-P), now that I remember it- it was as if I was going to jump and either sink or swim. I had no expectations, and I didn't know what I was going to expect either. I was met by my Grand Aunt, and from that first Friday on- she would be my lunch date in the hospital cafeteria before I went through the Hospice wards. (she was still alive then- Lola Letty, thank you and I miss you), she walked me through to the HOSPICE office and that's where I met Ate Beth. (who I hear is still there- God Bless her). Before Ate Beth walked me through the Hospice wards, she briefed me. She had 4 rules: Wag masyado mag English, taguin ang mga alahas, wag ka masyadong mag pabango, wag ka umiyak sa harapan nila. (translation: Don't speak in English too much, keep your jewelry, don't wear cologne/ perfume, don't cry in front of them) PCMC is a government owned hospital so most are indigent patients that's why speaking in Tagalog was a must and dressing low-key and comfortably was better when you would immerse yourself with them, most of the children in the hospice wards were going through chemotherapy treatments- I'm sure you get it now. Hence, the no cologne and perfume. The last part which has to do with no crying in front of the kids and their families that I met, was tough during my first few visits. I managed to leave the hospital with a really big ball of tears caught in my throat that as soon as I entered my car- I would start balling like as if, these children were family to me and I was so afraid to losing any of them to the Big C or what ever ailment they were battling. The children that I met those first few visits- I remember some of their names and their faces but their stories are forever etched in my heart and my mind. I remember some of them, wanted me in the treatment room holding their hand when they would have needles stuck for treatment and I would allow them to squeeze my hand if they wanted to. The tears that I let out, after every Friday visit- were all worth it for them. They were my heroes, they saved me from what I was personally going through (and it was really NOTHING compared to what these children and their families had to deal with)- they taught me to think of others either than myself. They taught me the real meaning of hope and living my life the best way I can. To me, they personified Jesus Christ every time I met and spoke with them. They taught me how to listen more, rather than speak. Their parents made me understand what my parents felt and what they went through when 2 of my elder siblings were sick. I realized how hard it was for my Mom and Dad. I never knew because I was only 2 or 3 when my eldest Sister Charlyn was diagnosed of Leukemia (Bone Cancer) and I wasn't born yet when my older brother died from a rare form of cancer. I had the strong feeling and yearning on how much Make-A-Wish Philippines felt like a relationship I wanted to seriously be committed to and I just did about that. Fast forward to August 18, 2012.

Meet Jean- my wishkid for the day. His wish was to have a bike. A big wish grant that was done in TIMEZONE Glorietta 4. Thank you to Make-A-Wish UAE for sponsoring the wishes of the children. I was introduced to Jean who was my 11-year old wish kid that day. He is an only child that is battling MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome- a blood disorder). They live in Laguna, and he admitted to me he got up real early to be in Glorietta by 10am. I asked if it was a hassle for him and he said no with a big smile on his face. While he and his 2 cousins and I were rushing to the main Timezone area to do the BINGO game (with a twist) we had a little chit-chat. I asked him if he was still studying and he said yes. He's in the 5th grade and Science is his favorite subject. I then asked, what would he like to be when he grows up. He said he wanted to be a soldier, I was taken a back. Then asked if his father was a soldier- he said no, he wanted to be one, to help others. My heart melted.

Jean with our VP Anna chua and his cousin When it was time for the kids to go back to Timezone's activity hall, Jean was rushing since we had a "BINGO" on our card. All kids were asked to go center stage and close their eyes since all of them completed the BINGO task.

The kids waiting for their prize- little did they know, they were getting their wishes I didn't know what Jean's wish was. When the kids were asked to open their eyes, I followed Jean to the package that had his name on it and right beside the package was a bike. The look on his face was priceless. But I got worried because, I started to see he was about to cry. I thought we had the wrong wish item. So I asked if this is what he wished for. When he said yes, he started to cry. My heart was swelling all I could do was hug him, and the familiar feeling of a really big ball of tears stuck on my throat has found me again.

Here's Jean with his bike and another wishkid who wished for the same Its been years since I've felt that exact feeling at that exact moment. I've been somewhat an absentee volunteer since I've gotten out of college and started to work. I'd still be in the loop since I felt MAW-P was like my baby (I was 19 when I started and now, I'm 32. You do the math haha!) I was volunteer number 5, plus the commitment I made since being a volunteer for this great organization made me feel so at home and it did feel like home. I guess some of you might think, wishing for a bike or a pair of red Convers chuck's are things that can easily be bought. And why would you want to be part of something that deals with children that are sickly? Living a life filled with joy, hope and love is the right that every child should have. Regardless of their race, nationality, background- healthy or sickly alike they deserve it. The power of a wish is indeed magical not only to the children involved but to us volunteers alike. These children have taught and given me so much more than I bet, I have given them in a day.

Jean with his Mom, and his 2 girl cousins and behind with his helmet Booie Segovia, former Make-A-Wish Philippines president I hope one time in your life, you may experience the power of a wish. For more information about Make-A-Wish Philippines, please visit our website: http://makeawish.org.ph/ you can also find us in Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Make-A-Wish-Philippines/253448188026008 Love is indeed better the second time, third, fourth, fifth...I think I should just quit with counting. Because I know, no matter how many times I experience a Wish Grant I fall in-love all over again.